Picture-frame fastener



(No Model.)

. J; A. MONTZ.

PICTURE FRAME PASTENER.

Patented Sept. 15,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC JOSEPH A. MONTZ, OF WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PICTURE-FRAME FASTENER.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,513, dated September 15, 1891.

Application filed March 1, 1890. Serial No. 342,322, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. MONTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilkes- Barr, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture-FrameFasteners 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to means for securing cords to picture-frames, and aims to facilit-ate the adj ustment-of the pictures in hanging them on the wall.

A further purpose of the invention is the provision of a simple and efficient device which is adapted to be secured to either side of the picture-frame, and which can be reversed end for end on the same side of the picture-frame in the event of one end of the fastening becoming inoperative from any cause. This latter feature is essential to the efficiency of the device.

The improvements consist, chiefly, of a base-plate and an oppositely-inclined or fiaring keeper projected therefrom and a wedge or key which is adapted to be inserted in either end of the keeper to fasten the cord therein.

The improvement further consists of the novel features which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and which are shown in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view, the key being removed, of the fastener. Figs. 2 and 5 are obverse and reverse side views of the device. Fig. at is a longitudinal section of the base keeper, showing the key or wedge in position. Fig.5 is an end view of the fastener as seen from the small end of the key. Fig. 6 is an end view of the fastener, looking toward the large end of the key. Fig. 7 is a side view of the key detached. Figs. 8 and 9 are views of the opposite endsof the key. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are a side and opposite end views, respectively, of a modified form of key. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the fastener, showing its application.

The base-plate A of suitable size, preferably long and narrow, is provided with the keeper B, which projects from the face of the base. The sides of the keeper are approximately parallel, and the side opposite the base is oppositely inclined, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 13, thus forming what I will designate hereinafter an oppositelyinclined or flaring keeper. The base projects at its ends beyond the keeper, and has openings (1 formed. therein to receive screws or other fastening devices. To give greater stability to the device, its base is provided intermediate of its ends with opening 61 to receive a fastening similar to the end fastenings. The side of the keeper opposite the base is provided with opening 6, which is directly opposite the middle opening d. The fastening is inserted through opening 6, and is driven home by a suitable instrument which is thrust through the said opening 6. To

give lightness to the fastening and enable the operator to steady the fastening which goes through the middle opening (I, one or both sides of the keeper is provided with opening f. (See Figs. 2 and 13.)

The key F is wedge-shaped and may be plain on its under side, as shown in Fig. 10, or serrated, as shown in Fig. 7, the latter being preferred, in that it obtains a firmer hold on the rope or cord to. The under side of the key may be straight across, as shown in Figs.

8 and 9, or it may be grooved, as shown at f in Figs. 11 and 12. The key is provided on its front end with projection g, to enable the finger to obtain a purchase thereon when withdrawing the key to release the rope or cord a.

The fastener is secured to the picture-frame by screws, nails, or similar fastenings, which are driven through the openings (1 d d in the base and into the said frame. The keeper being double inclined or flaring it makes no difference which end is turned up, both being alike. In the event of one side of the keeper being broken the fastening can be reversed end for end and will operate as well as at first. The fastening being secured in place, the cord, as a, is inserted in the keeper and the key is thrust in the keeper on the cord and binds the latter between it and the base-plate A. The keeper and the base-plate are integrally cast, thereby obviating any joints.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The hereinbefore-specified fastener, com- 5 posed of the long and narrow base plate A, provided at its ends and middle with openings d and having the oppositely inclined or flaring keeper B projected therefrom, the oppositely-inclined side thereof having opening e 10 coincident with the middle opening d for the purpose specified, and the Wedge-shaped key, substantially as set forth.

2. The hereinbefore described and shown fastener, composed of the long and narrow base-plate A, having openings 61 in its ends and middle and having therewith the doubleinclined or flaring keeper B, the parallel sides of which have openings f, and the double-inclined side openings 6 for the purposes specified, and the Wedge-shaped key having the projection g at its outer end, substantially as set forth.

JOSEPH A. MONTZ. Witnesses:

E. D. NICHOLS, ELIAS COHEN. 

